On Aug. 13, 2018, the Southwest Corridor Steering Committee recommended a Preferred Alternative—the route for a proposed MAX light rail line to serve Southwest Portland, Tigard and Tualatin. This fall, local agencies and jurisdictions will discuss their support for the route recommended by the Steering Committee. In November, the Metro Council will vote to adopt the final route into the Regional Transportation Plan.

Next steps

Analysis continues on a proposed MAX light rail line in the Southwest Corridor. Planners and engineers are advancing designs for the light rail alignment, stations and companion projects. The Final Environmental Impact Statement will evaluate updated designs, respond to comments and confirm strategies to minimize and mitigate impacts identified in the Draft Environmental Impact Statement. The Final EIS is expected to be available in late 2019, to be followed by the project funding process with a possible transportation funding measure in 2020.

From Tualatin and Sherwood to Tigard and Southwest Portland, more people are choosing to live, work and play in the Southwest Corridor.

But the transit system here is taxed, and the roads are congested and unreliable. People walking and bicycling face unsafe conditions moving within and between local communities.

Local leaders throughout this part of our region are studying the best way to address these challenges, so that residents, commuters and visitors can get around safely, quickly and efficiently for decades to come.

Whether your roots in the region run generations deep or you moved to Oregon last week, you have your own reasons for loving this place – and Metro wants to keep it that way. Help shape the future of the greater Portland region and discover tools, services and places that make life better today.